Such a detailed history, although interesting, may have a limited audience.
Attorney Bajramovic presents a history of gun rights.
The history begins just before England’s Glorious Revolution (1688), which led to that country’s developing a Bill of Rights that would, about a century later, strongly influence the United States’ own. Unfortunately, the Second Amendment, which established a right to keep and bear arms, is surprisingly ambiguous, leading to long years of uncertainty and strife. Bajramovic informs readers that gun-ownership restrictions in past centuries were common and often racially motivated. Although mostly presented in a clear, straightforward manner, the narrative, replete with numerous graphs, is unlikely to appeal to National Rifle Association members and occasionally demonstrates unnecessary bias, such as with this unpleasant description of NRA hard-liner Harlon Carter, quoted from one of her sources: “Sweat would break out on his already glassy dome, and his face would turn as red as freshly butchered game.” Long supplemental featurettes interrupt the main story frequently, and there are many rather bothersome references to information that will be presented later. Some 800 endnotes keyed to page number within the text help to buttress the factual content. For those who persevere to the end, only two suggestions are offered for ways to help in the gun control movement: write to your politicians and vote when you reach 18.
Such a detailed history, although interesting, may have a limited audience. (charts, bibliography, discussion questions) (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Sept. 22, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-250-22425-5
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2020
Small but mighty necessary reading.
A miniature manifesto for radical queer acceptance that weaves together the personal and political.
Eli, a cis gay white Jewish man, uses his own identities and experiences to frame and acknowledge his perspective. In the prologue, Eli compares the global Jewish community to the global queer community, noting, “We don’t always get it right, but the importance of showing up for other Jews has been carved into the DNA of what it means to be Jewish. It is my dream that queer people develop the same ideology—what I like to call a Global Queer Conscience.” He details his own isolating experiences as a queer adolescent in an Orthodox Jewish community and reflects on how he and so many others would have benefitted from a robust and supportive queer community. The rest of the book outlines 10 principles based on the belief that an expectation of mutual care and concern across various other dimensions of identity can be integrated into queer community values. Eli’s prose is clear, straightforward, and powerful. While he makes some choices that may be divisive—for example, using the initialism LGBTQIAA+ which includes “ally”—he always makes clear those are his personal choices and that the language is ever evolving.
Small but mighty necessary reading. (resources) (Nonfiction. 14-18)Pub Date: June 2, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-09368-9
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020
Brief yet inspirational, this story will galvanize youth to use their voices for change.
Testa’s connection to and respect for nature compelled her to begin championing animal causes at the age of 10, and this desire to have an impact later propelled her to dedicate her life to fighting plastic pollution. Starting with the history of plastic and how it’s produced, Testa acknowledges the benefits of plastics for humanity but also the many ways it harms our planet. Instead of relying on recycling—which is both insufficient and ineffective—she urges readers to follow two additional R’s: “refuse” and “raise awareness.” Readers are encouraged to do their part, starting with small things like refusing to use plastic straws and water bottles and eventually working up to using their voices to influence business and policy change. In the process, she highlights other youth advocates working toward the same cause. Short chapters include personal examples, such as observations of plastic pollution in Mauritius, her maternal grandparents’ birthplace. Testa makes her case not only against plastic pollution, but also for the work she’s done, resulting in something of a college-admissions–essay tone. Nevertheless, the first-person accounts paired with science will have an impact on readers. Unfortunately, no sources are cited and the lack of backmatter is a missed opportunity.
Brief yet inspirational, this story will galvanize youth to use their voices for change. (Nonfiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-22333-8
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2020
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